Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings

HAROLD LESLIE PARNELL

Born: Sep 02, 1915

Date of Passing: Dec 18, 2002

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HAROLD (HAL) LESLIE PARNELL September 2, 1915 - December 18, 2002 In the early morning of December 18, Pops left us after a year long battle with old age. Born in the family home on Forest Avenue, Pops had an adventurous youth growing up in what was then rural West Kildonan. At 26 years of age he enlisted in the navy and spent the Second World War on the HMCS Esquimalt chasing U-boats in the north Atlantic. The "Esquimalt" was the last allied ship to be sunk one day before the armicist. Thank God Pops was on leave that fateful day. His lost shipmates were with him till his final moments. After the war Pops returned to the CPR and retired in 1978. He had a life long love of sports and the great outdoors, a gift he shared not only with his family, but with hundreds of youth at the Morse Place Community Club. Many will remember him as "Hal" Parnell. Throughout the years he was on the club executive, ran the teen dances (hide your mickey boys), coached hockey, and of course his greatest pride was his championship girls softball team which attracted players from far and wide who wanted to play for "Hal." Pops was also a long standing volunteer of the Winnipeg Speed Skating Club in the 1960s and early 1970s where he also served on the executive and as president. His gift was sharing time to help others and expecting nothing in return. A relentless fisherman he would take us to the most remote lakes in search of "the big one." It was not uncommon to sit in the boat 12 hours a day in a screaming gale. At age 55, he ran the 15 Mile "Festival Du Voyageur" Snowshoe Race. (Pops had been a snowshoe racer in his youth) and finished way ahead of most of the more youthful racers. He continued with this same energy throughout his retirement, renovating houses and rebuilding cars into his early 80s. He spent the last years of his life enjoying his beloved sports on TV. Pops begrudgingly gave up his car at 86. In his final year, with his memory fading, he had the pleasure of sharing minute details of the past, and the luxury of not having to worry about the present. He leaves behind his beloved Marie, wife of 61 years; sons, Doug and Bob (Judy) five grand-children and two great-grandchildren. Memorial service Saturday, December 21 at 12:30 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2002

❮ Go Back to Listings